Download CoP13 Prop. 12

CoP13 Prop. 12
CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDICES I AND II
A. Proposal
Deletion of Agapornis roseicollis from Appendix II.
B.
Proponent
Namibia and the United States of America.
C. Supporting statement
1.
2.
Taxonomy
1.1 Class:
Aves
1.2 Order:
Psittaciformes
1.3 Family:
Psittacidae
1.4 Species:
Subspecies described:
Agapornis roseicollis, Vieillot 1818.
A. r. catumbella, Hall, 1952
A. r. roseicollis, Vieillot, 1818
1.5 Scientific synonyms
None
1.6 Common names:
English:
French:
Spanish:
1.7 Code Numbers:
A-218.003.003.008
rosy-faced lovebird, peach-faced lovebird
inséparable rosegorge
inseparable de Namibia
Biological parameters
2.1 Distribution
The peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) is found in dry wooded country in southwestern
Africa, up to an elevation of 1,500 m (Collar 1997). The range is poorly known, but it is
generally found in Angola, southwards along the coast through Namibia to Northern Cape
Province, South Africa (Juniper and Parr 1998). It is very dependent on areas near water, and
exhibits nomadic tendencies when water is unavailable. Escapes of captive birds occur in urban
areas (Collar 1997).
2.2 Habitat availability
The peach-faced lovebird is found in arid woodland, scrubby hillsides and tree-lined
watercourses including river canyons, rocky terrain where area rainfall exceeds 100 mm, and
where water is accessible (Collar 1997). It is a colonial breeder with natural breeding sites in the
inaccessible and often vertical cracks found in steep rock-faces on exfoliating granite or
sandstone koppies (Simmons 1997). However, it is highly adaptable and it nests and roosts in
sociable weaver (Philetairus socius) nests, as well as artificial structures and junction boxes on
telephone poles, and in otherwise inappropriate habitats (Simmons 1997).
2.3 Population status
The current population status of the peach-faced lovebird is not exactly known. However,
Simmons (1997) indicated that it is unlikely that any range contraction has occurred during the
20th century, and that it is more likely that populations have increased with the provision of
CoP13 Prop. 12 – p. 1
water points in previously dry areas, and artificial structures in which it can nest. Simmons
believes the species is widespread and abundant in the wild. Juniper and Parr (1998) noted that
there has been a historic decline due to trapping, but they are not globally threatened. Flocks of
hundreds of birds can be found at good food sources, but otherwise they occur in small flocks
(Collar 1997).
2.4 Population trends
See Population status above.
2.5 Geographic trends
See Distribution and Habitat availability above.
2.6 Role of the species in its ecosystem
The peach-faced lovebird feeds mainly on seeds of Albizia (and flowers) and Acacia, and buds
and foliage of many plants including Euphorbia. It also feeds on berries. It is considered a pest in
grain fields, particularly where it feeds on maize and sunflowers. Breeding is from February to
March. Unusual among birds, this species is able to breed at two months of age. Extended
breeding may occur under favorable conditions after rainfall. The species is a colonial nester and
may breed alongside sociable weavers and white-browed sparrow weavers (Plocepasser mahali)
(Forshaw 1977). Although the peach-faced lovebird is a resident, it wanders locally in the
winter in search of water (Collar 1997). It shares drinking sites with parrot species such as
Ruppell’s parrot (Poicephalus rueppellii) and Meyer’s parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) (Simmons
1997).
2.7 Threats
Though the species is not globally threatened, some authors note that the export of thousands
of birds in Angola has greatly contributed to a reduction in its populations in the southern part
of that country (Collar 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). Conversely, a review of the World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) trade data for 1992 to 2001 did not indicate any
exports of the species from Angola. No historic or current wild population census information is
available from the range countries. The peach-faced lovebird is not listed in the 2003 IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2003), The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa,
Lesotho and Swaziland (Barnes 2000), or the IUCN parrot action plan (Snyder et al. 2000).
3.
Utilization and trade
3.1 National utilization
Because Namibia does not allow any wild harvesting of peach-faced lovebirds, there is no
national utilization from the wild population.
3.2 Legal international trade
More than 99% of range country exports of Agapornis roseicollis from 1992 to 2001 were from
South Africa, with an insignificant amount from Namibia (242 exported specimens). No
specimens were reported as exported from Angola. Within the same period, the major non-range
exporting countries were Cuba, China, and the Netherlands. Between 1999 and 2001, the
exports of specimens from non-range countries more than doubled those from the range
countries. This was primarily due to the large numbers (more than 45,000 specimens each year)
exported from China, which first reported its exports (2,200 specimens) in 1998 (WCMC 2003;
Table 1). Between 1992 and 2001, there were 540,549 reported imports and 574,440 exports
of this species (WCMC data). Only 5 of these specimens (2 imports, 3 exports) were reported
as wild-caught and 153 were of unknown origin. The largest exporters were South Africa
(27.8%) and China (15.47%).
CoP13 Prop. 12 – p. 2
Table 1. Number of specimens of Agapornis roseicollis exported between 1992 and 2001.
Year
Specimens Exported from
Range Countries
Specimens Exported from
Non-range countries
1992
7,062
11,182
1993
21,049
14,457
1994
23,062
14,528
1995
19,376
25,006
1996
12,267
10,726
1997
18,746
29,486
1998
29,459
47,165
1999
25,105
81,315
2000
21,243
86,527
2001
23,054
53,625
Total
200,423
374,017
3.3 Illegal trade
There is no recorded illegal trade in this species.
3.4 Actual or potential trade impacts
Critics of this proposal may be concerned that removal from the Appendices will result in an
unsustainable rate of capture of wild specimens by local people. Such an assumption can be
made for any proposal to remove a parrot from the Appendices. However, because this species
is easily bred in captivity, almost all exports are captive-bred specimens, demand is primarily for
unusual color morphs (mutations) resulting from captive breeding, and prices are low for
captive-bred specimens, removing this species from the CITES Appendices is unlikely to
increase the demand for wild-caught birds. In addition, the Namibian Ministry of Environment
and Tourism (MET) notes that there is no reason to believe that international trade has any
effect on the Namibian wild population, or that the delisting of this species will impact the wild
population (3 March 2004 letter to U.S. Division of Scientific Authority from M. Lindeque,
Permanent Secretary, MET, Namibia). The collection of this species from the wild for
commercial purposes is prohibited in the Namibian and South African parts of its range.
3.5 Captive breeding or artificial propagation for commercial purposes (outside country of origin)
The peach-faced lovebird is widely bred in captivity for commercial purposes. Only 3 of over
500,000 specimens exported from 1992 through 2001 were reported as specimens of wild
origin. In captivity, they breed easily. A pair can breed and rear three clutches (4-5 eggs per
clutch) in a season (Vriends 1984). There are also 16 or more color mutations of this species
produced in captivity, of which 8 are common, 7 are established, and 1 is considered rare
(Martin 2002). Most color mutations are bred worldwide.
4.
Conservation and management
4.1 Legal status
4.1.1 National
Since 1993, Namibia has only traded captive-bred specimens of this species. No
harvesting of wild specimens is allowed. According to MET, there is no significant
demand for harvesting from the wild because of the availability of captive-bred
specimens (3 March 2004 letter to U.S. Division of Scientific Authority from M.
Lindeque, Permanent Secretary, MET, Namibia).
CoP13 Prop. 12 – p. 3
In Northern Cape Province, the South African province in which the peach-faced lovebird
occurs, the capture of wild birds for commercial purposes is prohibited. New biodiversity
legislation that will be promulgated in 2004 also restricts activities involving indigenous
species (22 April 2004 letter to U.S. Division of Scientific Authority from T. Carroll,
Principal Environmental Officer, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, South
Africa).
4.1.2 International
Namibia fully supports a proposal to delist the peach-faced lovebird. MET notes that
there is no reason to believe that international trade has any effect on the Namibian wild
population, or that the delisting of this species will impact the wild population. South
Africa, particularly Northern Cape Province, supports this proposal.
Because of its listing in Appendix II of CITES, the import of the peach-faced lovebird is
subject to the prohibitions of the Wild Bird Conservation Act in the United States.
4.2 Species management
4.2.1 Population monitoring
Information not available.
4.2.2 Habitat conservation
In Namibia, the peach-faced lovebird occurs extensively in the Hardap Game Reserve,
Namib-Naukluft Park, and the Waterberg Plateau Park, particularly around water sources.
It also occurs peripherally in Etosha National Park, extensively in areas which are little
impacted by man (Kunene River and eastern parts of the Orange River), and in 16
communal conservancies where rocky outcrops are found. The habitat in these areas is
highly protected (Simmons, Associate Researcher, FitzPatrick Institute, University of
Cape Town, South Africa, pers. com. 2004).
4.2.3 Management measures:
This species is common in the wild and in captivity. No specific management is required.
4.3 Control measures
4.3.1 International trade
Wild-caught specimens are prohibited from trade for commercial purposes in Namibia
and Northern Cape Province, South Africa.
4.3.2 Domestic measures:
Harvesting of wild specimens is prohibited in Namibia and at the provincial level in South
Africa. Northern Cape province, the province in which the peach-faced lovebird occurs,
prohibits the capture of wild birds for commercial purposes.
5.
Information on similar species
The only species within the region that appears similar to the peach-faced lovebird is the blackcheeked lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis), which is occasionally seen in the Caprivi Strip in Namibia
(Simmons 1997). However, the yellowish beak coloration and peach face and chest distinguish the
peach-faced lovebird from all other Agapornis species (Collar 1997). Because there are stark
morphological differences between the peach-faced lovebird and other lovebird species, we
anticipate there would be no effect on other lovebird species due to misidentification.
CoP13 Prop. 12 – p. 4
6.
Other comments
None.
7.
Additional remarks
None.
8.
References
Barnes, K.N. (ed) 2000. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Birdlife South Africa, Johannesburg.
Collar, N.J. 1997. Rosey-faced lovebird. P. 410 in J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and J. Sargatal, eds.
Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 4, Sandgrouse to Cuckoos, Lynx Ediciones,
Barcelona.
Forshaw, J.M. 1977. Parrots of the World. TFH Publications, Neptune, New Jersey, p. 310.
IUCN 2003. 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Juniper, T. and M. Parr 1998. Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World. Yale University Press, New
Haven, Connecticut, p. 389.
Martin, T. 2002. A Guide to Colour Mutations & Genetics in Parrots. ABK Publications: NSW,
Australia, p. 287.
Simmons, R. E. 1997. Psittacidae: parrots, parakeet and lovebirds. Pp. 534-535 in J.A. Harrison,
D.G. Allan, L.G. Underhill, M. Herremans, A.J. Tree, V. Parker, and C.J. Brown, C.J., eds. The
Atlas of southern African birds. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.
Snyder, N., P. McGowan, J. Gilardi, and A. Grajal, eds. 2000. Status Survey and Conservation
Action Plan 2000-2004: Parrots. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Vriends, M. M. 1984. Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Pet Birds. Simon& Schuster, Inc.: New York.
P. 125.
CoP13 Prop. 12 – p. 5